Will vast numbers of species simply disappear forever?

prof.stan · #1 (**permalink**) 3rd-July-2008, 12:48 PM

Is it true maximum numbers of species will disappear forever?

prashamk · #2 (**permalink**) 3rd-July-2008, 12:56 PM

Its all Bullsh*t. World has been in deeper troubles with much higher temperatures that we have today, higher sea levels than we have today, higher CO2 leves that we have today. Then what data is bugging you to make this kind of statements.

SwitchBlade · #3 (**permalink**) 4th-July-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof.stan

Is it true maximum numbers of species will disappear forever?

Define maximum! But, those that do (I assume by disappear you mean become "extinct." Not very specific language for a Prof.) will certainly do it forever. However, if the ones go extinct occupied a viable ecological niche that again becomes viable, something else will eventually evolve to fill the void.

Rog · #4 (**permalink**) 4th-July-2008, 09:15 AM

The risk of extinction for many species may have been seriously underestimated, according to new research published in the journal Nature.

BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Extinction risk 'underestimated'

spadlet · #5 (**permalink**) 4th-July-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof.stan

Is it true maximum numbers of species will disappear forever?

I don;t htink that anyone can prove it either way at the moment. Humans haven't classified every species that is in existance (for example in the sea they are only just creating a world wide database). Also, species are constantly evolving, potentially creating new ones if given enough time. Do you need links to some evidence?

karmakop · #6 (**permalink**) 4th-July-2008, 07:22 PM

Things are even more bleak when you realize genetic erosion happens faster than new genes are mutated. We may see stupid things like fish that are smaller because they slip through nets easier. People are saying that fish are "hyper evolving" because they're getting scarce and there are less genes to go around. They're partly right, more exotic genes are being expressed but that is because there is less genetic diversity. But they're not gaining new genes so it isn't like it is a positive sum evolution.

It is more like things are working their way down to be like the cheetah which almost has no gene pool. It isn't a positive evolution to be leaking from your gene pool with man on the scene. What is a boon for a species one day may be its bane the next as we do all sorts of strange and dumb things to the environment.

forfismum · #7 (**permalink**) 9th-July-2008, 08:52 PM

If the folks in Oz are left in charge they will.Or maybe its just that are not keeping tabs on things

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Karl · #8 (**permalink**) 16th-September-2008, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prof.stan

Is it true maximum numbers of species will disappear forever?

I don't know...probably not.

At least not until the planet is no longer capable of supporting any form of life, but such an inevitability is based more on the sun itself (being a star of presumed finite "life") - but that is not expected to happen for millions, if not billions of years.